Yeddy Softens Stand; Reddys still Want him Out

Beleaguered Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has agreed to a key demand of dissidents led by Reddy brothers, but still, opponents stick to their ‘oust Yeddyurappa’ demand.

According to reports, Yeddyurappa has consented to replace his trusted principal secretary VP Baligar with IS N Prasad with Baligar likely to be transferred to the industries department. His removal was one of the main demands of dissidents.

However, as reports from IANS suggest, Tourism Minister G Janardhana Reddy, his elder brother and Revenue Minister G Karunakara Reddy and their loyalist, Health Minister B Sriramulu, yet maintain their demand of Yeddyurappa’s removal, who is BJP’s first chief minister in Karnataka and South India.

Reports said that Yeddyurappa has turned down the rebels’ demand of giving Home Ministry to a member of their camp.

Rural Development Minister Shobha Karandlaje, a Yeddyurappa aide, may be axed and Assembly Speaker Jagdish Shettar inducted into the cabinet as part of efforts to buy peace in the party, reports said.

But that may not bring peace–rebel BJP MLAs camping in Hyderabad on Friday morning sent their resignation letters to the Reddy brothers. Janardhana Reddy reportedly has the resignation letters of 52 party MLAs and has refused to meet Yeddyurappa.

BJP general secretary Arun Jaitley is in Bangalore for a last-ditch attempt to bring the warring factions together. Yeddyurappa, whose position is becoming more and more tenuous, still maintains that issues will be resolved.

“Any important issue–whatever our all India leaders direct me, I am bound to do it. I have already agreed,” he told reporters on Friday.

Asked whether he would work with the Reddy brothers, he said: “after a settlement is reached one should forget the past and work together”.